Arnan Hirunratanakorn at the Aquaculture UK Exhibition and Conference.
I have been studying for a Master's in Sustainable Aquaculture at the University of Stirling for about 8 months, having completed both the autumn and spring semesters. I really enjoy the course, making friends and learning about different cultures and aspects of aquaculture. The professors are very friendly and approachable, always willing to assist with any problems I have. Overall, it has been a very memorable and valuable experience.
Currently, I have returned to Thailand for the summer semester to conduct my master’s project titled "Bridging Gaps in Aquaculture: A Field Study on Economics and Fish Welfare in Thai Markets." This project focuses on two main areas: the distribution of fish in Thai markets and the welfare during each stage, including harvesting, transportation, handling practices, holding systems, and slaughtering techniques. I expect that the results of this project will help identify the correlation between handling practices and fish welfare at each stage of the value chain.
Arnan Hirunratanakorn introduces his project (English version)
About the Project
Project Title: Bridging Gaps in Aquaculture: A Field study on Economics and Fish Welfare in Thai Markets
Short description of the project: Concern about the welfare of farmed fish have been raised as the aquaculture industry is grown in Thailand. Issues such as stressful transportation, bad holding conditions and inhumane handling practices can lead to poor fish welfare, which affects marketability and customer rejection. Understanding the markets and recognizing the challenges can comprehensively assess and improve these conditions from the point of harvest to end customer. The project aims to investigate the market situation and welfare of farmed fish in Thailand through data collection and analysis. Results from the project will improve understanding of the fish passing through Thai markets and welfare problems on fish at each stage. This data can be presented as potential guidelines and standards to enhance fish welfare by relating the conditions of the fish with the handling practices.
Arnan Hirunratanakorn introduces his MSc project (Thai version)
Experimental Design: The experiment will be aiming to gather data of fish from 3 locations including central distribution markets, retail markets and fish farms by self-gathering and doing surveys on personnel.
1. Central Distribution markets (n=2). This market is where the fish was sourced from the farm or other distribution markets to distribute the fish to other merchants. The destination of fish distributed from these markets may go to other distribution markets, factories or retail markets.
Arnan visiting a wholesale market with Timothy Wiese and Nsogbu Wadike.
Questionnaires on merchants (n=15-30) who bring fish into the market and who buy the fish out from the markets. Data to be collected: fish sources or destinations, transportation duration, way of transportation, decision and reasons on way transportation, buy price and sell price.
Self collection on both fish in and fish out through the market. Data to be collected: amount of fish, sizes, species, condition of fish, handling practice (e.g. loading/unloading techniques, sorting) and distribution duration (fish unload from seller until fish bought and load by buyer).
2. Retail Markets (n=10-15). The fish in this market is usually sourced from distribution markets, other retail markets and rarely sourced directly from the farm. The retail market is where the fish was sold to the end customer.
Questionnaire on Sellers in retail markets (n=10). Data to be collected: sources of fish, species, sizes, amounts, fish conditions (e.g. live, dead), buy price, sell price, holding systems, slaughtering techniques, feedback from customers on handling practices and welfare awareness.
Questionnaire on Customers in retail markets (n=15-30). Data to be collected: Quality that customers are looking for, what makes them decide to buy fish and awareness and knowledge on fish welfare.
3. Fish Farm (n=3-5). Fish farms are the main sources of fish supply into Thai markets. The farming system may be different depending on species and sizes that they aim to supply into the market. Also, the harvesting system and way of transportation vary depending on destination markets.
Questionnaire on farm details and harvesting procedures. Data to be collected: Farm details (e.g. pond type, size, cultured species, density, mono/polyculture), harvest detail (e.g. starving duration, harvesting methods, duration of harvest, partial or full harvest, total fish harvest), emergency harvest procedure, destination of the fish, welfare concerns and practices.